...But Seriously

...But Seriously
Studio album by Phil Collins
Released 20 November 1989 (1989-11-20)[1]
Recorded April–October 1989
Studio The Farm, England, and A&M Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre
Length 59:42 (CD)
54:25 (LP)
Label Virgin (UK and Ireland)
Atlantic (US and Canada)
WEA (rest of the world)
Producer
Phil Collins chronology
12"ers
(1987)		 ...But Seriously
(1989)		 Serious Hits... Live!
(1990)
Singles from ...But Seriously
  1. "Another Day in Paradise"
    Released: 23 October 1989
  2. "I Wish It Would Rain Down"
    Released: 15 January 1990
  3. "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"
    Released: 28 April 1990
  4. "That's Just the Way It Is"
    Released: 28 July 1990
  5. "Hang in Long Enough"
    Released: 16 September 1990
  6. "Do You Remember?"
    Released: 5 November 1990

...But Seriously is the fourth solo studio album by English rock musician Phil Collins. It was released on 20 November 1989, becoming the best-selling album of 1990 in the UK. It reached No. 1 in the UK and US for fifteen and four non-consecutive weeks respectively. The album has been certified quadruple platinum in the US and nine times platinum in the UK. It also produced five Top 40 singles in both countries, including the US No. 1/UK No. 2 "Another Day in Paradise", which received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. It is one of the best selling albums in British, Spanish, French and German history.

A two-disc remastered version of the album was released on 10 June 2016 and contains live songs and demos.[2][3] The photo of Collins on the front cover was updated to reflect his contemporary look.

Musical style

While much of the album follows the same formula as Collins's previous album, No Jacket Required (1985), there was also a move towards more organic production as Collins chose to utilise live drums instead of the drum machines used heavily on No Jacket Required. He also prominently used keyboards and electric piano but fewer synthesizers. The album also features a sole instrumental track, "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning", which recalls the jazz-influenced instrumentals featured on his first two albums, Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going.

Themes

As the title suggests, the album is a change of pace from the lighter tone of Collins's previous work. Collins expanded his focus to the exploration of socio-economic and political themes. There is emotional turmoil underneath the polished studio production and many of the songs are unambiguous and unveiled in their melancholy. While incorporating political themes, ...But Seriously does not abandon the theme of relationships. But unlike some of his earlier work, Collins takes a more mature and reflective approach when looking at the relationships in his life.

"Another Day in Paradise" was released as the lead single and became the album's biggest international hit. It is a sympathetic look at the plight of the homeless.[4] The song was inspired by Collins's visit to Washington, D.C. There, he was struck with the widespread poverty in which so many people live and the struggles that homeless people face. He was equally struck by the abandonment of these people and the complacency of the city as a whole, despite being the nation's centre of government (hence the irony used in the title of the song).

Another politically themed song on the album is "Colours", which voices Collins's condemnation of the segregation and oppression of black and coloured people in South Africa under apartheid. Arguably the song with the most progressive rock influence in this album (as he was known for as a member of the band Genesis), "Colours" did not see much commercial success as it is almost nine minutes long and radio stations had no interest in playing it. The political theme is also evident in the second song on the album "That's Just the Way It Is", which deals with the Troubles of Northern Ireland. This was a minor chart hit in the summer of 1990 and in the lyrics Collins makes reference to the gridlock of Ulster's sectarian differences most notably in the line: "If we'd agree that we can disagree, we could stop all of this today."

The album also features a dramatic, gospel-influenced track, "I Wish It Would Rain Down", which features Eric Clapton prominently on guitar and became one of the album's biggest hit singles. "Father to Son" is a song in which Collins explores his connection with his own son, Simon. The song has a positive, inspirational tone as he seeks to guide his son through some of the trials of life and love, and to reassure him that, "if you look behind you, I will be there".

Singles

In the UK and the US, ...But Seriously contained five Top 40 singles. In terms of the number of hit singles from one release, ...But Seriously remains the most successful album by Phil Collins.

  • "Another Day in Paradise" – US #1, UK #2 (1989)[4]
  • "I Wish It Would Rain Down" – US #3, UK #7 (1990)
  • "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" – US #4, UK #15 (1990)
  • "Do You Remember?" – US #4 (1990)
  • "That's Just The Way It Is" – UK #26 (1990)
  • "Hang in Long Enough" – US #23, UK #34 (1990)

In Canada, "Another Day in Paradise", "I Wish It Would Rain Down", "Do You Remember?" and "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" all reached No. 1, with Collins achieving four number one hits in the same calendar year, 1990.

Tour

In support of the album, Collins' embarked on a worldwide tour, called Seriously Live!. In total, there were 113 shows over 3 continents and it led to the release of a live album and video Serious Hits... Live!.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Rolling Stone[6]

At the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards "Another Day in Paradise" won the award for Record of the Year. ...But Seriously received further nominations for Album of the Year, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) and Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical. "Another Day in Paradise" was further nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, while the instrumental piece "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

...But Seriously received two American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.

At the Brit Awards in 1990 "Another Day in Paradise" received the award for Best British Single, while Collins was named British Male Artist.[7] A year later Collins received another nomination for British Male Artist.[8]

In the UK, ...But Seriously spent 15 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1, including the whole competitive Christmas season, and at the end of 1989 became the third best-selling album of the year in the country after only six weeks on sale. It became the best-selling album of 1990 in the UK. ...But Seriously also peaked No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 for four weeks and became the second best-selling album of 1990 in the US, according to Billboard. It was the last number one album of the 1980s in the UK, and the first of the 1990s both there and in the US.

In Germany, it is the second best-selling album in the chart history of certified albums, and the best-selling album within the foreign repertoire.

Track listing

All tracks written by Phil Collins, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hang in Long Enough" 4:44
2."That's Just the Way It Is" 5:20
3."Do You Remember?" 4:36
4."Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"lyrics: Collins; music: Collins, Daryl Stuermer4:52
5."Colours" 8:51
6."I Wish It Would Rain Down" 5:28
7."Another Day in Paradise" 5:22
8."Heat on the Street" 3:51
9."All of My Life" 5:36
10."Saturday Night and Sunday Morning"Collins, Thomas Washington1:26
11."Father to Son" 3:28
12."Find a Way to My Heart" 6:08

LP

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Hang in Long Enough"4:44
2."That's Just the Way It Is"5:20
3."Find a Way to My Heart"6:08
4."Colours"8:51
5."Father to Son"3:28
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Another Day in Paradise"5:22
2."All of My Life"5:36
3."Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"4:52
4."Do You Remember?"4:36
5."I Wish It Would Rain Down"5:28

Extra Seriously bonus disc (Disc two of 2016 deluxe edition)

No.TitleLength
1."Hang in Long Enough (live 1997)"4:52
2."Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (live 2004)"5:26
3."Colours (live 1990)"11:20
4."Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (live 1990)"1:54
5."Always (live 1990)"4:30
6."Find a Way to My Heart (live 1997)"5:40
7."That's How I Feel (B-side)"5:05
8."You've Been in Love (That Little Bit Too Long) (B-side)"4:49
9."Another Day in Paradise (demo)"5:21
10."That's Just the Way It Is (demo)"4:54
11."I Wish It Would Rain Down (demo)"5:30
12."Hang in Long Enough (demo)"4:34
13."Do You Remember? (demo)"4:43

Working titles

  • The original title of "Do You Remember?" was "Lionel".
  • The original title of "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" was "Broadway Chorus".
  • The original title of the first part of "Colours" was "Hymn" and the second part was called "Oh! Mr. Botha What Can We Do?".
  • The original title of "Another Day in Paradise" was "Homeless".

B-sides

  1. "That's How I Feel"
  2. "You've Been in Love (That Little Bit Too Long)"
  3. "Around the World in 80 Presets"

Personnel

Musicians

Guest musicians

Production

  • Phil Collins – producer, mixing
  • Hugh Padgham – producer, mixing, engineer
  • Ed Goodreau – assistant engineer (Los Angeles)
  • Simon Osbourne – assistant engineer
  • Tom Tom 84 – horn arrangements
  • Maurice Spears – music preparation
  • Trevor Key – photography

Charts

Chart (1989–2016) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[9] 1
Austrian Albums Chart[10] 1
Canadian Albums Chart[11] 1
Danish Albums Chart[12] 1
Dutch Albums Chart[13] 1
Finnish Albums Chart[14] 1
French Albums Chart[15] 1
German Albums Chart[16] 1
New Zealand Albums Chart[17] 1
Norwegian Albums Chart[18] 1
Spanish Albums Chart[19] 1
Swedish Albums Chart[20] 1
Swiss Albums Chart[21] 1
UK Albums Chart[22] 1
US Billboard 200[23] 1

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[24] 3× Platinum 180,000^
Australia (ARIA)[25] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[26] 2× Platinum 100,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[27] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[28] 7× Platinum 700,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[29] Platinum 74,715[29]
France (SNEP)[30] Diamond 1,711,100[31]
Germany (BVMI)[32] 6× Platinum 3,000,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[33] Platinum 15,000*
Italy (FIMI)[34] 3× Platinum 300,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[35] Platinum 200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[36] 2× Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] Platinum 15,000^
Portugal (AFP)[38] 2× Platinum 80,000^
Sweden (GLF)[39] Gold 50,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[40] 7× Platinum 700,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[41] 5× Platinum 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] 9× Platinum 2,750,000[43]
United States (RIAA)[44] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

References

  1. ↑ "BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for Phil Collins (page 1)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Hang In Long Enough: "…But Seriously," Revised "Going Back" Complete Phil Collins Reissue Campaign". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Phil Collins – Take A Look At Me Now". Genesis News. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 Dean, Maury (2003). Rock N' Roll Gold Rush. Algora. p. 60. ISBN 0-87586-207-1.
  5. ↑ Geoff Orens. "...But Seriously". allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  6. ↑ J.D. Considine (11 January 1990). "But Seriously". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "History". Brit Awards. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  8. ↑ "History". Brit Awards. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  9. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  10. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Austria Top 40 – Hitparade Österreich". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Bienvenue au site Web BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADA | Welcome to the LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  14. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  15. ↑ French chart run 1 (76 weeks): "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Retrieved 20 November 2016. , French chart run 2 (1 week): "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in French). Steffen Hung. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "Charts-Surfer". Charts-surfer.de. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  17. ↑ Steffen Hung. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  18. ↑ Steffen Hung (15 June 2006). "Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  19. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  20. ↑ Steffen Hung (3 February 2012). "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  21. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  22. ↑ "UK Singles & Albums Chart Archive". Chart Stats. Archived from the original on 22 June 2004. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  23. ↑ "Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  24. ↑ "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  25. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  26. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously ..." (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Enter Phil Collins in the field Interpret. Enter But Seriously ......... in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen. 
  27. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  28. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". Music Canada. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  29. 1 2 "Phil Collins" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  30. ↑ "French album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PHIL COLLINS and click OK. 
  31. ↑ "Les Albums Diamant :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  32. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Phil Collins; 'But Seriously')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  33. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1990". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  34. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  36. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Enter But Seriously in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  37. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  38. ↑ "Portuguese album certifications – Phil Collins – ... But Seriously" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  40. ↑ "Spanish album certifications – Phil Collins – ... But Seriously" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Select album under "Chart", enter 1990 in the field "Year". Select the certification month in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts".
  41. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Phil Collins; '... But Seriously')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  42. ↑ "British album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Enter But Seriously in the search field and then press Enter.
  43. ↑ Copsey, Rob (13 October 2018). "The UK's Top 40 biggest studio albums of time". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  44. ↑ "American album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 October 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 

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